wish English · revision 3510

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 899 (Old English wȳscan)|origins=ine-pro *wen-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /wɪʃ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|wisshen]], [[inh|ang|wȳscan|t=to feel intense longing, cherish a desire]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) from [[gem-pro|*wunsk-]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*wen-|t=to desire, strive for]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Old English lost the n before the spirant s.^(Barnhart 1988) Its cognates include [[dum|wonscen]], [[nl|wensen]], [[de|wünschen]] and [[non|œskja]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and Sanskrit vāñchati, “he wishes”.^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[ween]], [[wont]] and [[win]].^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To desire, have a wish for: Old English ''wȳscan'', before 899, in Alfred's translation of Gregory's ''Pastoral Care'',^(Barnhart 1988) or about 897.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ With a clause expressing an unrealized desire (''I wish it were'') it is from 971.^(OED 1989) With an infinitive, as in ''wish to go'', it is from about 1250.^(OED 1989) The noun, “the act of wishing” and “what one wishes for”, is from the early 14th century^(Etymonline) or before 1300,^(OED 1989) and an expression of desire for another's welfare (''best wishes'') from 1593.^(OED 1989) ''Wishing well'' is attested by 1819.^(Etymonline) ''Wish book'', a mail-order catalogue, is North American slang by 1927.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 899 – Old English ''wȳscan'' (Alfred).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 971 – an unrealized wish.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1250 – ''wish to''.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 14th century – noun, a wish.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1593 – a good wish.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1819 – ''wishing well''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1927 – ''wish book''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To long for; to want.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To express a hope for someone: ''wish you luck''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To desire something that is unlikely or impossible: ''I wish I were taller''.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To order or request politely.^(AHD)

+ # ''(wish on)'' To impose on someone.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A desire or longing for something.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # An expression of a desire; a request.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Something desired.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[wisher]]

+ * [[wishless]]

+ * [[wishbone]]

+ * [[wishful]]

+ * [[wish-wash]]

+ * [[outwish]]

+ * [[unwish]]

+ * [[well-wisher]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ween]]

+ * [[wont]]

+ * [[win]]

+ * [[venom]]

+ * [[Venus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary notes that ''wish'' is widely used as a polite substitute for ''want'' with an infinitive, in keeping with the deference of formal style.^(AHD) A separate Old English ''wish'' is a piece of marshy meadow, recorded from 898.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}